The Supermarket Greeter

Grandma Stella reminisces about the kind greeter at a Spanish supermarket who played classical music, making her visits enjoyable. She ponders about his life, his love for music, and the sadness she felt when his radio was stolen.

I was sitting preparing my vegetables at my kitchen table. The classical music was my companion on the radio. My mind wandered off to years ago.

I used to and still go to a Spanish supermarket that sells lovely fresh vegetables and fruit. Besides the vegetables, I liked to go there because of the greeter by the entrance. He had a kindly face, probably in his late forties or early fifties, with a little radio playing classical music behind him. The music always brought me joy.

He sensed my appreciation for the music. “Buenos Dias, Mama,” he would say shyly. It took me a long while to realize that “Mama” was a sign of respect, not familiarity.

Years passed, and every visit, he greeted me with a smile and the classical music floating through the air. I often wondered about his life, his education, and his deep connection to the classical tunes. Unfortunately, we couldn’t have deep conversations as I didn’t speak Spanish and he struggled with English.

One day, I arrived at the store to find him standing forlornly without his music. Someone had stolen his radio, he explained. My heart ached for him—how could someone steal from such a gentle soul? His presence at that market, through all seasons, was defined by his smile and the music. Months went by with him silently enduring the loss, until one day he was gone, relocated to another branch. I wondered if he ever got another radio to indulge in his beloved music.

As I prepared the vegetables that day, thoughts of him flooded my mind once more. Who was he really? What struggles did he face in his life? His appearance hinted at hardships endured, leaving me with endless questions that I couldn’t answer.